Injuries at linebacker disrupt rhythm for Texans

Texans rookie defensive end Jared Crick out of Nebraska has used training camp to develop into the fourth lineman.

Texans rookie defensive end Jared Crick out of Nebraska has used...

After the first 10 days of training camp, there is a lot we don't know about the Texans as they approach their first preseason game at Minnesota on Friday night.

Injuries at linebacker are causing so many problems, they might have to suit up linebackers coach Reggie Herring. Only for practice, though.

As coach Gary Kubiak and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips know, a 3-4 team can't have enough quality linebackers. If everyone was healthy, it wouldn't be an issue. But they aren't.

"My biggest concern is we've got 15 of them, and I think seven are practicing," Kubiak said Monday about the linebackers. "It's a tough situation when it seems like you get beat up in one spot."

If a team is going to have injury issues, this is the perfect time. Rather now, when young players need as much playing time as possible to prove themselves, than later when games count.

When the Texans begin the regular season Sept. 9 at San Diego, the starting linebackers should be Brooks Reed and Whitney Mercilus on the outside and Brian Cushing and Darryl Sharpton or Joe Mays on the inside.

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Reed and Mercilus are out with nagging injuries. Cushing and Sharpton have just returned from injuries and aren't expected to play against the Vikings. Tim Dobbins and Cameron Collins, reserves on the inside, suffered minor injuries this week and didn't practice.

The only good thing to come from this situation is that a lot of young players are going to get more playing time at Minnesota than they expected. It's a terrific opportunity to impress the coaches.

Battle at backup QB

But there are some other things we don't know about the Texans.

For instance, I can't wait to see how backup quarterbacks Case Keenum and T.J. Yates play. Matt Schaub should play one series and turn it over to Keenum and Yates, who are competing for the backup job. Kubiak insists the competition for the No. 2 job is real.

I'm eager to see if one of the four rookie running backs or veteran Deji Karim play well enough to grab the upper hand as the third back behind Arian Foster and Ben Tate.

I also want to see who emerges at right tackle while Derek Newton continues to get into shape and tries to play better than last season, when he was forced into the lineup before he was ready.

I want to see how new kicker Randy Bullock performs on kickoffs and field goals. I want to see how punter Shane Lechler adjusts to holding for a right-footed kicker. In his 13 years with Oakland, Lechler was the holder for the left-footed Sebastian Janikowski.

Rookie receiver DeAndre Hopkins has been so impressive in camp. If he can transfer his practice performance to the field, a lot of teams are going to wonder why they bypassed him in the first round.

Everyone who watches Hopkins loves his attitude. He works hard. Well, most of them do. But while he's working hard, he believes it's his birthright to come down with every ball, no matter where it's thrown or who's covering him.

It's going to be fun for Texans fans to watch Hopkins develop over the next couple of seasons.

The coaches feel good about defensive end Jared Crick. In his second training camp, he's been outstanding. He's showing why general manager Rick Smith stole him in the fourth round. Crick has established himself as the fourth lineman behind J.J. Watt, Antonio Smith and Earl Mitchell.

"Crick's doing so well he can even play on the nose if we need him to," Kubiak said.

Keo earns a look

With Ed Reed on the sidelines. Shiloh Keo, competing in his third camp, is starting next to Danieal Manning at safety over rookie D.J. Swearinger.

"That's an experience thing," Kubiak said. "Shiloh has done real well and deserves to be in there. He's a better player than last season. The kid (Swearinger) is doing a great job, and he'll get his playing time, believe me."

Watching rookies such as Hopkins and Swearinger and backups such as Crick and Keo develop is the most interesting part of preseason.